Sheriff's Report: Getting ready for the summer

Henderson County Sheriff Botie Hillhouse recorded this podcast Wednesday, May 26, at the Henderson County Justice Center.==In this week's podcast, Sheriff Hillhouse talks about the budget process, a big weekend in Athens, and patrolling the lakes during the summer.I. Stats (:18)There are currently 424 inmates in Henderson County Jail, including 133 contract inmates.II. Budget Time (:58)Henderson County Gov has begun the budget process for 2022. The deadline for departments to submit their proposed budgets to the County Judge is this Friday."I've been in budget mode for a while now, but especially the last couple of days," Sheriff Hillhouse said. "We're looking at all the line items and seeing what expenses we think we are going to have in the year of 2022."The Sheriff's Office has a budget of more than $13 million, divided between law enforcement and the jail.III. Walk-a-Mile and Fiddlers (9:50)This is a big weekend in Athens with the East Texas Crisis Center Walk-a-Mile in Her Shoes event Saturday morning and the Old Fiddlers Reunion. Both events are on the square in Athens.The Sheriff's Office is always a big participant in the Walk-a-Mile with a team walking and Sheriff Hillhouse being the one to officially start the walk."It's a great event, it is a fun event," Sheriff Hillhouse said. "It is guys coming out to walk a mile in red high heels. It is a fundraiser for the East Texas Crisis Center."You can learn more about this event on the East Texas Crisis Center Facebook page. https://www.facebook.com/etccathensIV. Patrolling the Lakes (16:00)Fiddlers weekend is the traditional start of summer and that means a lot of work for the Sheriff's Office."The summer months are extremely busy for us here at the Sheriff's Office," said Sheriff Hillhouse.The Sheriff discussed how deputies patrol Lake Palestine and Cedar Creek Lake during the summer months and particularly during the holidays."We just want everybody to No. 1 take care of each other," Sheriff Hillhouse said. "Be safe, do the right thing. Have a lot of fun, but you have to be safe and do the right thing."==Henderson County Gov podcasts are available on Anchor, Breaker, Google Podcasts, Pocket Casts, RadioPublic, and Spotify (below). This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit hendersoncountytexas.substack.com